First Ever Footage of Deep-Sea Blood-Red Squid Leaves Scientists Breathless

In the icy depths of the Antarctic Ocean, researchers have captured unprecedented footage of a rare blood-red squid in its natural habitat. Using advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), scientists aboard the RV Falkor from the Schmidt Ocean Institute filmed the elusive Antarctic gonate squid (Gonatus antarcticus) at a depth of 2,100 meters beneath the ice-covered waters of the Weddell Sea.

Despite being known to science since 1898, this is the first time the species has been observed alive in its deep-sea environment. The footage reveals the squid drifting through frigid waters, releasing a greenish ink cloud as a defense mechanism, and provides valuable insights into its behavior and physical characteristics.

The discovery highlights the technological advances in ocean exploration that allow us to explore previously inaccessible depths, offering new understanding of the resilient marine life thriving in one of Earth's most extreme environments.